title: Altered muscle activation following hamstring injuries.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to compare the electromyographic (EMG) activity of gluteal and thigh muscles of sportspeople with a recent hamstring injury with uninjured controls during a weight-bearing task.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional.
  
  
  METHODS
  University laboratory.
  
  
  METHODS
  16 participants with a hamstring injury (hamstring-injured group, HG) and 18 control participants (control group (CG)) participated in the study.
  
  
  METHODS
  The EMG activity of gluteal, quadriceps and hamstring muscles was recorded during a movement from double- to single-leg movement using surface electrodes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The EMG onsets of biceps femoris and medial hamstrings were significantly earlier for the HG injured and the uninjured sides in preparation for single-leg standing when compared with the CG average. There were no differences in onsets for the gluteal and quadriceps muscles when comparing the injured or uninjured legs of the HG to the bilateral average of the CG.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The earlier onset of the injured and the uninjured hamstrings in preparation for single leg stance of the HG in comparison with the CG suggests an alteration in the motor control of these muscles. Altered neuromuscular control following a hamstring injury may be a factor to be considered in the rehabilitation of hamstring injuries.
authors.affiliation: Centre of Physiotherapy Research, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. gisela.sole@otago.ac.nz
authors.forename: Gisela
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sole
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Milosavljevic
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nicholson
authors.forename: S John
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Sullivan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004576:Electromyography; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007869:Leg Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000293:injuries* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011187:Posture; D052097:Quadriceps Muscle / Q000503:physiopathology; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D013848:Thigh / Q000293:injuries; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult